Less than an hour ago,
In a secluded area of the Tidal Tempest, the sound of metal against leather punctuated the silence. Victor stood with one foot on a stone, meticulously inspecting his blade's sharp edge, its glint reflecting an occasional spark of sunlight while taking it in and out of his scabbard.
He and his team had built another Shelter after having no choice, and now was a good time to admire the new longsword he had forged.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed, causing Victor to look up just in time to see Axton walking towards him. The man's strides were confident, but the sly grin on his face was what caught Victor's attention immediately. The blade, momentarily forgotten, lowered as Axton neared.
"Sir Victor…I got something that might pique your interest," Axton whispered, leaning in conspiratorially.
Victor's eyes narrowed, his gaze sharp and piercing, "Is that why you've returned alone?"
Nodding, Axton's voice dropped even lower, dripping with excitement, "We found them. A group of demons. Their meat's tender, fresher than anything you must have had before. It would greatly please you, Sir Victor," He paused, letting the weight of the news sink in, "My boys are holding positions as we speak, just waiting for us to join the fray. We could handle it, of course, but we thought you wouldn't want to miss out, and we can't risk damaging the goods too much. So your presence will be for the better."
Victor's initial focused glint was replaced by an anticipatory gleam. He sheathed his blade with a flourish, "I am intrigued," he mused, a subtle smile curving his lips. "However, I must first inform Rachel I'll be stepping out for a... walk."
Axton's eyes twinkled as he said with a knowing smile, "Understood, Sir Victor. She must never worry about your afternoon strolls, hehe."
Couple of miles away,
Amidst a grove of tall trees, the sparkling stream wove its gentle path. Sunlight streamed down in broken beams, making the water shimmer like a vast necklace of diamonds.
Mirena, her laughter as clear as the bubbling water, playfully splashed Elysia.
Lyra had her hair neatly tied in a bun, bent down, her hands exploring the depths of the stream for resources, "Mirena," she chided gently, her voice mellow, "we don't have all day. Could you please stop making Elysia waste time as well and help me here?"
Elysia's soft giggle echoed in the serene ambiance, "She's right, Mirena," she said, reaching out to pinch Mirena's rosy cheeks affectionately, "We shouldn't be slacking."
Mirena stuck out her tongue, her pout evident, "Lyra, one day you should really learn how to have fun!"
Lyra's eyes softened, her lips curling up in a subtle smile, and she shook her head in mock exasperation.
"Tell her to run!"
But the moment of lightness was shattered by Sylus' frantic voice. They immediately turned to the side and caught sight of two familiar figures, Orin and Slyus, dashing towards them, expressions wild, lips stained with blood.
"Hide Mirena! Now!" Orin's voice was filled with urgency.
Slyus' eyes darted around, as if wary of something, "Get back to the shelter, Mirena! Hurry!"
Before Mirena could process the gravity of the situation, Elysia and Lyra were upon her, pushing her into the river.
The cold water swallowed her up, her dress billowing around her, bubbles obscuring her vision.
But Mirena tried to resist since she knew they were in some kind of danger and didn't want to run away.
But Elysia's usually tender eyes hardened with determination, "Listen to us, just this once," she urged, her voice strained, "Get to the shelter!"
Tears mingled with the river water as they dispersed from her eyes.
The stern and worried expressions on the faces of the people she loved so dearly told her all she needed to know.
They were in grave danger, where none of them could afford to escape together.
Swallowing the pain of her heart clenching, Mirena's lower body transformed into a fish-like tail, propelling her towards the other end of the stream where the ancient, moss-covered teleportation gate awaited.
Water splashed around Orin and Sylus as they plunged into the river, the coolness barely registering due to the adrenaline coursing through their veins.
Suddenly, the peaceful sounds of the bubbling stream and rustling leaves were overshadowed by ominous footsteps.
Six figures, clad in leather and armor, emerged from the shadows of the trees, trapping the Umbralfiends like prey in a hunter's snare.
Just as Sylus had feared, they were prepared to surround them.
Victor, with his tall frame and imposing aura, stepped forth, the gleam in his bright green eyes revealing his intentions. His neat white attire, which seemed to reflect the sunlight, contrasted starkly with the luminous blade at his side.
Elysia's hands clenched into fists as she whispered and saw the 5 men surrounding them from different sides with unsettling auras, "The Demon Rippers..."
Axton's sadistic grin widened, revealing his sharp teeth.
He slowly and deliberately licked the blade of his machete, each stroke echoing ominously, "It's been far too long since we've indulged in the delicacy of a female Umbralfiend," he taunted.
Turning his attention to Victor, he added, "And our good Sir Victor here hasn't yet had the privilege. Consider yourselves honored."
Lyra, her gaze fiery and resolute, retorted, "Monsters like you will rot in Tartarus, where your wretched souls belong!"
Victor merely chuckled, and with a swift motion, he unsheathed his gleaming longsword. The reflection of the sun made the blade appear almost ethereal, "I can make it painless, you know," he suggested, his voice dripping with apparent compassion, "Just kneel and place your heads on the chopping block. I would rather avoid any ugly and unnecessary struggles."
Orin's voice was low and unwavering as he grunted, "We would fight to death before we do anything else."
Victor sighed, his face a mask of boredom, "How utterly foolish and a waste of time," As he said this, his sword began to shine.
Then, in a split second, the serene atmosphere transformed into chaos.
The Demon Rippers, along with Victor clashing with the four relentless Umbralfiends.
The four of them knew they would never stand a chance, but their will to fight wasn't deterred at all.
The once tranquil stream became a battleground as two groups collided in an earth-shaking confrontation.
Shortly after,
Mirena, driven by an irresistible pull towards her kin, swam back towards the chaos, every stroke echoing her desperation.
Despite knowing she should listen to what they said, a part of her couldn't bear to leave them alone. She was also prepared to fight to the death if needed.
As she neared, she cautiously peeked out from behind a partially submerged boulder, her breath hitching as her eyes took in the horrific tableau before her.
Sylus, someone who was like a brother to her, lay motionless in the water, his crimson lifeblood mingling with the gentle current.
Orin, once a formidable sight in battle, was now reduced to a battered, kneeling figure.
Cain, a massive brute with malicious delight in his eyes, held Orin in an unyielding grip, ensuring he couldn't escape or retaliate.
Elias, with his knife gleaming coldly against Lyra's pale neck, smirked, "Speak, my friend. Tell us where the Umbralfiend Princess and her friends are hiding. Do it, and perhaps we'll leave your precious wife unharmed."
Gildon, standing nearby with his arms crossed and a smirk on his face, added, "Don't even think about deceiving us, Orin. We are well aware that the princess traveled with you all and I she is the only exception among you people who has more than just juicy meat, hehe."
Despite the dire situation, Orin's gaze was unyielding and only became even darker upon hearing such ugly words.
He met Gildon's eyes with a look of contempt and defiance, "You should know that our lives will never be worth more than our princess's safety. You can threaten, you can maim, but all you will get is our blood."
Elias sighed, a mirthless smile playing on his lips, "Sigh, how could I forget how impressively loyal you people are to your princess. I once tried breaking some of your kind, but they all died before they broke. So I believe you," Without warning, he stabbed the knife into Orin's throat in one swift, brutal motion.
Lyra's gasp was cut short, her eyes shut tight, tears forming at the edges as she tried to shut out the world around her.
"B-Brother Orin..." From her hidden vantage point, Mirena's heart shattered, grief and rage swirling within her as she watched another loved one cruelly taken from her.
Her tearful gaze shifted to Elysia, who was trying desperately to hold onto her composure.
Axton, holding her with a vice-like grip, forced half of her body underwater, with her legs.
Victor watched with rapt attention as he leaned onto his long sword.
"You know, Sir Victor," Axton began with a smirk, taking a moment to emphasize the title, "Umbralfiends, these fascinating creatures, they've got the ability to transform their lower halves into legs when they're on land. But here's the fun part: kill them while they're submerged, and you'll find their flesh tastes far more... exquisite. It's not that enjoyable if we taste them while they have legs. So once she dies while being submerged, her legs will revert back to their original state."
Victor's eyebrow raised, a slight smile playing on his lips, "That's interesting to know…"
Elysia's breaths came in sharp and ragged, her body taut with tension and her eyes filled with despair.
As she turned her head, her eyes rippled as she spotted Mirena afar, peeking out from a rock with sheer terror.
Elysia's heart ached at the sight, and softly smiled, a silent plea to stay hidden and run.
As expected, her little sister doesn't know when to listen.
However, Mirena couldn't suppress her natural instinct to protect, to be with her family. She unconsciously rose from her cover to save her sister.
But before a word or gesture could be exchanged between the sisters, Axton's machete swung down in a merciless arc, separating Elysia from her life and her lineage.
The world went silent for Mirena. The shouts, the clang of metal, the rushing water—all faded away as she watched her sister's body go limp, her legs transforming into their finned state, fluttering weakly in the stream before becoming still.
Rourke's keen, preadatory eyes caught Mirena's movement, his voice slicing through, "There she is! The one who went missing!"
A collective silence descended, the eerie calm disrupted only by the trickling sound of the water. All eyes, eager and excited, turned to Mirena. Her heart raced, sensing the danger that was about to ensue.
Victor, with an air of supreme confidence, straightened. His eyes glinted with anticipation, "Ah, that short one. I got her," Raising his sword, a brilliant and vivid green beam emanated, forming an elongated blade, and sped toward Mirena with deadly precision.
Mirena's breath caught in her throat. As she tried to make her escape, the world around her felt as if it was moving in slow motion.
But then, the once-fallen Sylus suddenly surged out of the water, startling everyone. Every wound, every drop of blood that coated him seemed to scream defiance.
With his remaining strength, he intercepted the beam, his body absorbing the brunt of the impact.
The energy tore through his form, yet it didn't fully diminish in power as it continued its trajectory.
Mirena felt a searing pain on her back as the tail end of the beam struck her, propelling her forward. She frantically began to swim, her mind a blur of horror and pain.
Sylus' body was left with a gaping hole in his chest, and having given its last act of defiance, fell into the water once again, his sacrifice echoing in the stillness.
Victor's eyebrows furrowed in slight annoyance, "What a waste," he remarked, sheathing his sword with a flourish, "She won't last long and isn't worth the effort going after her."
Axton grinned, wiping his bloody machete, "Well, Sir Victor, the day is still young. We still have our catch. Let's relish it."
